Pope Francis has called on politicians in Nicaragua to "open their hearts" over the “concerning” jailing of Bishop Rolando Alvarez, a prominent critic of the increasing authoritarianism of President Daniel Ortega's government, for 26 years.
With Bishop Alvarez having refused to get on a flight to the United States with 222 other political prisoners, all opponents of Mr Ortega, a judge sentenced Alvarez for undermining the government, spreading false information, obstruction of functions and disobedience. It is a trial that has been decried by human rights groups as politically motivated.
